Swept path analysis (vehicle tracking)
A design that looks fine on paper can still be too narrow for the vehicle it's built for.
Swept path analysis evaluates the space a vehicle needs to complete a turning manoeuvre. Because a vehicle's rear wheels track a tighter arc than its front wheels, this difference has to be accounted for to keep roads, driveways, junctions, and parking areas safe and functional. Get it wrong, and the result is costly redesigns, safety hazards, or vehicles encroaching into pedestrian and cyclist space.
Where it matters
Residential developments — balancing everyday car access with the turning needs of larger service vehicles like garbage trucks and buses, without over-engineering road widths in a way that encourages speeding
Retail and industrial sites — testing loading bay and yard layouts against large or articulated delivery vehicles before construction locks the design in
Schools — designing drop-off and pick-up zones generous enough for buses and delivery vehicles, while keeping car movements controlled and away from pedestrian areas
Highways and junctions — confirming every permitted vehicle movement is achievable without encroaching on pedestrian or cyclist space
Our service
Sightline uses vehicle tracking software to simulate forward and reverse movements for any vehicle type your project needs — from passenger cars and buses to articulated trucks and specialised plant. Rather than estimating whether a design will work, we demonstrate it visually and precisely, giving you and any reviewing authority confidence before construction begins.
We also handle abnormal load assessments for oversized or overweight vehicle movements — wind turbine components, large construction or modular building elements, and similar loads outside standard vehicle libraries — with custom vehicle modelling and a route-specific review of every junction, overhead obstacle and sightline involved.
Getting swept path analysis right at the design stage is far more cost-effective than fixing it after construction.
Common questions
What is swept path analysis?
Testing and confirming the space a vehicle needs to complete a turning manoeuvre, accounting for the fact that a vehicle's rear wheels track a tighter path than its front wheels.
Why does my project need it?
If your site needs to accommodate large vehicles — trucks, buses, service or emergency vehicles — this confirms the design will actually work for them before construction locks it in.
What if my project involves an oversized or unusual vehicle?
We handle abnormal load assessments for vehicles outside standard design libraries, with a route-specific review of every junction and obstacle involved.
Can this be done after construction if there's an issue?
It can, but it's far more costly to fix a design flaw after the fact — testing at the design stage is the cost-effective approach.
Send us the drawings. We'll tell you what you need.
2. Plans, if they exist
3. A description of the works
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